Saint Nicholas and the Strozega dei Badoni

A popular tradition in the heart of Trentino

The Strozega dei Badoni of Saint Nicholas is one of the most deep-rooted winter customs in Mezzolombardo, a town in the Rotaliana Plain in the province of Trento, in the heart of Trentino-Alto Adige. Every year on December 5th, the eve of Saint Nicholas' Day, the historic center comes alive at dusk with a procession of children and families playfully reenacting the wait for the gift-bearing saint.

What is the "strozega dei badoni"?

The name comes from the Trentino dialect: strozegar means to drag or pull with effort. Participants walk through the town streets dragging badoni (bundles of wood) and cans, milk pails, and metal sheets tied to long ropes, making as much noise as possible. It is an ancient and joyful ritual, a cousin to the strozega of Saint Lucy found throughout Trentino: the noise is meant to be heard and to signal the arrival of the saint, who brings sweets and fruit to the little ones. Unlike in Alto Adige, where the Krampus figure dominates, here the tradition remains tied to the kind and familiar dimension of Saint Nicholas.

The route and awards

The meeting point is set at Via Trento, at the Saint Nicholas shrine, at 4:30 PM. From there, the procession moves toward Piazza delle Erbe, where a jury awards prizes to those who stand out in three categories:

• the largest metal sheet (bandone);
• the longest strozega;
• the largest group.

The evening ends with a convivial moment featuring Christmas sweets, chestnuts, hot tea, and mulled wine, offered by local volunteers.

Historical roots and devotion

Devotion to Saint Nicholas in Mezzolombardo has ancient roots: this is evidenced by a 1570 altarpiece in the church of San Pietro, which depicts the saint with the three golden spheres symbolizing his charity, and the shrine on Via Trento, linked to the memory of Nicolò Bert, remembered for his habit of distributing fruit to the village children. Over time, the occasion has transformed from a spontaneous neighborhood custom into a community-organized event.

A community event

The event is organized by the Pro Loco Mezzolombardo APS in collaboration with the Mezzolombardo Alpini Group and the Acli, and is part of the town's wider Christmas calendar, which includes markets on Advent weekends, concerts, and family entertainment in the historic center.